Andrea Pirlo is no longer a candidate to coach the Italy national team. Pirlo confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Monday, stating he is no longer in contention following political resistance over his sponsorship deal with Fonbet, a Russian betting firm.
Several Italian politicians raised concerns that the national team coach should not have conflicting views regarding Italy’s support for Ukraine in the war with Russia. Pirlo stated that the Fonbet deal is exclusively for commercial and sports purposes and is linked to his current role as coach of Dubai United in the United Arab Emirates. He argued that attributing political significance to the collaboration assigns beliefs to him that he has never expressed.
Pirlo was considered a third choice for the position after Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti turned down offers to lead a team that has failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cups. His potential appointment was further complicated by unsuccessful previous coaching stints at Juventus and Sampdoria.
With Pirlo out of the running, former Italy coaches Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini are once again being discussed for the job. The position became vacant after Gennaro Gattuso left by mutual consent in April following Italy's defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in a World Cup qualifying playoff.